Nuggets of Truth
- July 2007Each week we will archive the synopses of the message presented by our Senior Pastor George Dix, Jr. At the beginning of the following month, we will archive this page and a new page will be presented in its place.
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Last updated: Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Acts 26:14-18
Exodus 25:8-9
Ephesians 2:13
As we continue to grow in our faith, we must realize that we have to do more than scratch the surface of God’s Word. As we study and meditate on the Word of God, it is imperative that we receive a full understanding of what God is saying to us! As we dissect each passage in the Bible, we must know that God communicates through words, symbols, and illustrations.
Pastor Dix shared the story about how Moses lead the children of Israel out of the wilderness, and during this particular time-period God truly longed to walk and talk with them; however, they turned their backs on God, which prevented them from seeing and experiencing the blessings God had stored up just for them. Pastor Dix then posed the question:
What walls have we built that separates us from the promises that God has for us?
We must ask ourselves what walls have we built up that causes us to put God on the back burner. God told Moses to build a tabernacle (meeting place) so that He could reveal Himself to Moses. It was beyond the veil that God wanted to meet intimately with Moses so that He could share specific instructions or share a revelation word. Today God wants us to let go of that person or thing that is hindering us from sweet communion with Him!
Pastor Dix said when we say to “God for you I live and for you I die,” we have His undivided attention. God and Moses were so close, that God gave him strategic instructions on building His tabernacle. God told Moses who could and couldn’t enter the tabernacle and specific instruction about what needed take place once on the inside. There was a place for burnt offerings, which was symbolic for “getting rid of the old stuff and offering it up to God.” Once inside the Tabernacle there were several symbolic items such as:
There were others items included: sacrifice of incense, and the Ark of the Covenant, which had several symbolic items in it (Ten Commandments, manna and Aaron’s rod). Lastly, Pastor Dix described the two cherubim where God promised Moses He would commune with him above the mercy seat.
In closing Pastor Dix stressed the importance of spiritually positioning ourselves to hear from God so that we may commune with Him daily.
Quote of the sermon:
“You can’t casually read God’s Word and get a full understanding of what God is saying.” - Pastor George B. Dix, Jr.
Luke 16:19-31
As a youngster, Pastor Dix recalled receiving a tape recorder as a gift from his parents. He described in detail how he was visiting with some relatives and went around to different groups, and without them knowing, recorded various conversations,. He’d then go back and hit the play button, and that is when they’d ask him to “rewind please.”
Pastor related his childhood story to the story found in Luke 16:19 that describes the mistreatment of Lazarus, a beggar, by a rich man. Lazarus, who only wanted the crumbs from the rich man’s table, had the dogs lick his sore covered body. Then one day both of the men died. Lazarus was carried off by angels to Abraham’s bosom (paradise, which was located in the lower parts of the earth) and the rich man was burned. It wasn’t until the rich man’s death that he requested that Abraham have Lazarus dip his fingertip into some water to cool his tongue. However, Abraham told the rich man that when he lived he had the good things but Lazarus had evil things, but now the poor man was comforted and he (the rich man) was tormented. Furthermore, Abraham told him that there was a great gulf that separated them from the rich man. The scripture goes on to state that, the rich man requested that Lazarus return from the dead and forewarn his five brothers of their fate is they didn’t turn form their evil ways. Even this request was denied as well.
Pastor Dix instructed the congregation to “rewind now," to avoid ending up like the rich man. “If you got to go through on this side, just lift your head and go through,” He added. When we grow in our faith we should not fail to realize that God honors integrity and accountability. James 4:17 states: “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good and doeth not, to him it is sin.” Pastor Dix said the only surefire way of knowing that one believes there is a heaven and a hell, is by watching his lifestyle!
As we prepare for the afterlife (because there is one), we must know that there is a judgment seat of Christ to look forward to as well. For when He returns, this time, He’s coming back with power and authority!
Quote of the sermon:
“Neither your momma, daddy nor big momma will be able to stand between you and God.” - Pastor George Dix, Jr.
2 Corinthians 2:14
Let us remember that this is a season of manifested VICTORY! Pastor Dix earnestly stated “victory by itself isn’t enough and now more that ever before, it’s time for our eyes to be uncovered!”
As forward moving believers, we must not fail to discover that Satan desires, more than anything else, for us to hear the messenger and not hear God. He has absolutely no yearning for us to understand his wicked devices or "played out" strategies; however, as bible scholars we already know his history. He’s been the author of lies from the very beginning …not to mention that He actually thought He could exalt himself above God. Think for a minute…the Devil was kicked out of heaven so he is really upset (even today) that the Archangel Michael had to show him the door. This is one of the main reasons why the enemy doesn’t want us to know that the Lord is coming back!
Pastor Dix forewarned the congregation not to be deceived; Satan is, indeed, alive and well. This is why it is imperative for us to arm ourselves with the Word of God (our sword) so that we may live triumphantly in this life and in the life to come!
In closing, Pastor referred to the book of Revelation where John encountered an angel and began to share prophecies of the end time. As Pastor shared excerpts from Revelation, he compelled members of the congregation to be ready when Jesus returns the first time; because immediately following the rapture there will be a seven-year tribulation period where Christians will be violently persecuted and even put to death for professing that Jesus is Lord.
Quote of the sermon:
“Live right, win souls and build the Kingdom!” - Pastor George Dix, Jr.
Matthew 24: 29-30
We must not take God’s love for granted because one day our love for Christ will be put to the ultimate test when He returns!
1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51-58 speak about Christ’s hasty return for the church (body of believers). Pastor Dix reminded us that there won’t be time to make amends or replace stolen items. He said God is only coming for the righteous and titles or accolades will be irrelevant! And unfortunately, for those who don’t make it, there will be violence unheard of down here. The evil trinity, Satan, the AntiChrist and the False Prophet (SAF) will rule the earth during the tribulation period, preying on those hoping to find salvation.
As we prepare for the first coming of the Lord we must not lose sight of the real victory--- when Jesus returns the second time, with power and great glory, with the church!
Quotes of the sermon:
“You don’t want to miss heaven!”
“The only victory we have is faith through Jesus Christ.” - Pastor George Dix, Jr.
Genesis 4:7
Ephesians 6:10-12
As Pastor Dix began his sermon, he showed a pitcher filled with what appeared to be Kool-Aid with lemons in it. Pastor said he placed a vile of deadly poison in the beverage that was so potent that it could have killed a pew of PASSAGE partners.
This demonstration allowed the congregation to see that things are not always what they appear. Pastor clearly stated that the Devil is banking on us to believe the description that’s on the packaging. It is important for us to know how the clandestine operator pursues us. We first have to accept and believe that the enemy is a wise and cunning fellow, and then we must walk like we know who he is. The time has come for believers to cease living two lives---one that reflects Christ in the presence of believers and another that becomes questionable in the presence of unbelievers.
Satan operates in two particular spirits as it relates to spiritual warfare. The Jezebel spirit and the Spirit of the Strongman, which are both controlling spirits of the mind and the spirit. As we study the chief general of satanic powers we cannot afford to forget his modus operandi (chief objective).
The things Satan is up to:
Three questions to consider when experiencing spiritual warfare:
In closing Pastor reminded the congregation that the Devil is seeking whom he may devour, meaning he is seeking the spiritually weak and those with their guards down.
Quote of the sermon:
“The Devil doesn’t want you to see his real game.”
“Wake up and see the real deal.” - Pastor George Dix, Jr.
PASSAGE
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